THE CONFUSION BETWEEN SEXUALITY AND LIBERATION
By Nicole Mathewson
Hand in hand with celebrity worship and the “dumb is cute” motto for women (see my article Stupid Girls) is a sensation identified as “raunch culture”. The concept of “Sex-positive feminism” centers on the idea that sexual freedom is an essential part of women’s freedom. However, while the movement may have started off to create sexual equality, the modern and popularised version is now leading to women being exploited through a false sense of sexual liberation. Sex-positive feminism isn’t a new idea (it was formed in the early 80s), but it is becoming increasingly popular.
An example of raunch culture is the $100 million DVD series “Girls Gone Wild”, (where College-aged girls exploit themselves and each other by performing sexual acts for the camera). Bill Horn, a spokesman for Mantra Films which produces the series argues that women are much more in touch with their sexuality these days, and that women “line up around the block to get in our events.” [1]
This idea that women can now make their own sexual decisions and control their sexuality is challenged by Ariel Levy, author of ‘Female Chauvinist Pigs’. She believes that if people weren’t so uptight in their attitudes surrounding sex (abstinence only education is taught in 80 percent of public schools in the US for example), they wouldn’t need to have such confining and limited shorthand for sexiness.
“Raunchy and liberated are not synonyms. If male chauvinist pigs were men who regarded women as pieces of meat, we would outdo them and be female chauvinist pigs: women who make sex objects of other women and of ourselves.”
So it’s not about suppressing your inner sexiness and confidence, what it IS about is not compromising anything else (i.e. intelligence and dignity) in the process. It’s about being yourself and not exploiting yourself, or other women, for a false sense of empowerment. How is a wet t-shirt contest empowering? Why do women take part? Partly to attract the attention of opposite sex, and partly it seems, because they feel if they don’t, it will tell others that they are uncomfortable and embarrassed about their sexuality.
Ms Levy comments on Playboy Enterprises, a publication that has taken over the world with its merchandise brought mainly by women and girls. “Licensing is going extremely well because of the army of women and girls eager to sport the rabbit logo on their underpants or tank tops or pajamas, as an advertisement for their independence and sass.” 
That logo is also the emblem of a man (founder Hugh Hefner) who said in 1967: “I do not look for equality between man and woman … I like innocent, affectionate, faithful girls - and plenty of them.” Hefner is now in his 80s and has three official girlfriends, they range in age from 21 to 32 and all are platinum blonde and stick-thin. And these are the women who are going to teach us about liberation?
Even more worrisome is the fact that this kind of mentality isn’t just limited to adult women anymore:
“Gone are the days of voluminous, bulky and cumbersome underwear meant to be worn under layers of clothing. These days underwear has become briefer, bolder and more stylish. There is even underwear to complement different moods you wish to portray: frisky, seductive or mysteriously alluring.”
This advertising blurb isn’t talking about women’s underwear; It’s the way one British company, Jellydeal, introduces the latest trends in underwear for little girls - trends that have also become noticeable in Australian and New Zealand retail outlets for childrenswear. Children can now purchase padded and decorative bras in sizes 6 to 10 under the name of popular brands such as Barbie, Saddle Club, Disney and Bratz.
“Little girls like pretty things but do they need bras with padding? And should they learn so early that their bodies are for flaunting? More than just another nail in the coffin of childhood, these underwear trends contribute to the premature sexualizing of children with cynical disregard for the consequences,” says Angela Conway Victorian vice president for the Australian Family Association. [2]
Even the majority of popular music on today’s charts is adding to the “if you’ve got it, flaunt it” idea. Groups like the Pussy Cat Dolls give the idea that acting and looking sexually suggestive is beautiful and empowering. The majority of mainstream rap, hip hop and hard rock videos also feature such scantily-clad women. But surely the fact is that it is actually confidence in yourself that creates beauty.
While in the past pop acts like the Spice Girls sometimes dressed skimpily and danced in suggestive ways, they also showed that you didn’t have to have model looks to be beautiful- you could be the girl next door or like sport. They also had their own personalities, and while they were stereotype personalities, it was much more than the bland-cardboard cutouts that are modern groups such as Girls Aloud and the Pussycat Dolls.
Some people may argue that groups like PCD can do what they like - they’re not paid to be role models, they didn’t choose to be. But because of the kind of job they have, they are. It doesn’t help when all forms of media (including advertising and even cartoons) reinforce the image. Even children’s toys are following the trend.
Recently a “sexy” pole-dancing kit was been pulled from the toys and games section of a website run by Tesco, Britain’s biggest retailer, after protests from outraged parents. The Peekaboo kit, which includes a “sexy garter”, was sold in the supermarket’s toys and games section. “Unleash the sex kitten inside… simply extend the Peekaboo pole inside the tube, slip on the sexy tunes and away you go!” the blurb reads. [3]
After family campaigners slammed the kit’s status as a toy, Tesco removed it from that area of their site, but denied it was sexually oriented and said it was clearly marked for adult use. “Pole dancing is an increasing exercise craze. This item is for people who want to improve their fitness and have fun at the same time,” a spokesman said.
Bratz’ dolls promote an obsession with shopping, heavy make-up and provocative fashion. Some argue the Bratz phenomenon is no big deal, just toys and clothes with attitude.
However, according to Angela Conway:
“The ambiguities of the Bratz products’ images are creepily reminiscent of the kinds of fantasies and warped perceptions of women and girls so central to pornography,” “Defenders of raunch culture say turning pornographic imagery into a weapon of “girl power” liberates girls and women. But just how powerful will little girls be when, with pelvises thrust forward, they have learned the scripted moves and obsessions of the Bratz dolls, underwear, website and DVDs? They will take on a sexualized language they cannot possibly understand.”
Yes, parents should be responsible for how their kids dress and are allowed to act, but when all the kids are acting in this way (because they all want to fit in and be like each other and the “pretty and successful” girls on TV) it’s harder for parents to stop their kid from joining in. Parents aren’t immune to influence from the media either. They’re led to believe that this is just what kids do and look like these days.
We all believe it, because we’ve allowed media and advertisers to brainwash us into believing it. Real beauty and success comes in the form of being happy and confident with who you are – not from being a stick-thin girl wearing skimpy clothes and participating in wet t-shirt contests.
References:
Sex-positive feminism on Wikipedia
[1] “The rise of raunch culture - Feminists are torn: Is it porn or liberation of women’s sexuality?” By Mackenzie Carpenter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Wednesday, 12 October 2005
[2] “Young ones won’t be young for long - Stop stealing our daughters’ childhoods for cold commercial gain” By Angela Conway, The Australian, 2 Oct 2006
[3] “Outcry over tots’ pole-dancing kit” by David Braithwaite, Sydney Morning Herald, 27 October 2006
LEARN MORE:
- Read ‘Female Chauvinist Pigs’ by Ariel Levy.
- Ten ways to combat negative images of women
- Read more on sex-positive feminism
-Watch the “Stupid Spoilt Whore Video Playset” episode of South Park for an entertaining (but gross) look at this issue.
TAKE ACTION:
Challenge “raunch culture” by not falling for it!
Be yourself! If you’re not comfortable dressing or acting a certain way then don’t do it.
Live your life with your integrity
